The Return to the Upper Room

Welcome to the Days of Praise podcast, a daily devotional by the Institute for Creation Research. The Return to the Upper Room. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room. Those all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication. Acts one, thirteen, and fourteen.

What a myriad of thoughts must have been swirling through the believers' heads as they walked back to Jerusalem after Christ ascended into heaven. They had many enemies in Jerusalem, but they walked fearlessly because he who claimed, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Promise that I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. They obediently assembled in an upper room, literally, the upper room, to wait and pray. Notice who is present.

The list includes the 11 remaining disciples reassembled after scattering. Peter, who had denied the Lord, had gained sweet forgiveness. doubting Thomas had his scepticisms answered, and John was there, the disciple whom Jesus loved, but even he had deserted his Lord in the garden as the soldiers came. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was there. She had raised him as a completely loving and obedient child, only to see him ridiculed and opposed.

she anguished as only a mother could seeing him hanging on the tree. but her anguish had been quelled. At least two of her other sons were there, presumably New Testament authors James and Jude. Earlier they had scoffed, but now they understood. Other women were also present, those who were the last ones at the cross and the first to see him once the tomb had yielded up its dead.

The entire group can be pictured as a trophy of his grace, mercy, and forgiveness. They gathered together in perfect accord. A common bond of faith and purpose, praying and petitioning God for His will and power. Might we not see many examples for our lives and prayers in these verses? If you've enjoyed today's devotional, be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

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